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Lehigh University's Ryan Spadola enjoying every moment with New York Jets

Ryan Spadola catches

New York Jets wide receiver Ryan Spadola (85) goes up to make a catch on a ball thrown by quarterback Matt Simms, not pictured, as Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Trevard Lindley (35) defends during the second half of a preseason game on Thursday night in East Rutherford, N.J.
(AP Photo | BILL KOSTROUN)

"Obviously it's a little bit of an adjustment period, myself being a small-named guy coming from a small-named school with the odds stacked against me early on," Spadola said after the Jets' 27-20 win over the Eagles in Thursday's preseason finale at MetLife Stadium. "I'm not a guy where I need to have the media spotlight or all that kind of stuff going on, but it's definitely humbling a lot of people have an interest in me and want to hear my story. Obviously the way I've played on the field has made a mark on people.

"It's definitely great and I'm really just trying to enjoy every single moment of it as long as it lasts."

Final cut today

Spadola, like many of his teammates, hopes that moment continues after today's NFL-mandated roster cuts. Teams need to decrease their rosters from 75 players to a maximum of 53 on the active/inactive list by 6 p.m.

Spadola, who had six catches for 47 yards against Philadelphia and 13 receptions for 216 yards with a touchdown in the preseason, isn't trying to worry too much about whether or not he's earned a roster spot.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound All-American knows he left it all out on the field.

"I was fortunate to get a lot of reps early on and continued that the last few preseason games," Spadola, 22, said. "I think I took advantage of my opportunities and left everything out there. Now it's out of my control and I can't think about it too much. I'm going to try to stay as relaxed as possible, keep a positive mindset and hope everything works out."

Amid a Jets camp littered with controversy and uncertainty, Spadola has certainly been a bright spot.

Coach Rex Ryan has had to deal with daily questions regarding who his starting quarterback will be -- the recently injured Mark Sanchez or the unproven Geno Smith -- and handle off-field issues, including the arrest and suspension of running back Mike Goodson.

Ryan has talked highly of Spadola, and has even nicknamed him Spicoli after Sean Penn's character Jeff Spicoli in the 1982 movie "Fast Times at Ridgemont High."

While the comparisons stem from the duo's surfer look (blond hair and blue eyes), Spadola is nothing like the lazy stoner Spicoli.

He was Ryan's first topic of conversation in his press conference on Monday.

"We're going to start the press conference like I have the last two weeks, going over some real positives that I'm seeing on tape and a couple individuals this time," Ryan said. "We're going to talk about Ryan Spadola, 'Spicoli' if you will."

While viewing game film, Ryan continued:

"He's up at the top, comes here in motion. You're going to see this young man. ... He's been doing a great job. Obviously, this one is just a touchdown we're going to show you, but he's had production now the last several weeks. Also on the practice field and things, the Green and White scrimmage. We've seen this kid, all he does is show up and make plays.

"(He's) also doing a good job on special teams. I've been really happy with the way that this young man's come in here. The other thing, too, that jumped out at all of us was the kind of shape that he showed up in. Obviously, he was in great shape in the conditioning drills and everything else."

Staying humble

While the praise from his coach and headlines in the New York Daily News and New York Post are nice, Spadola knows his job isn't done.

Even if he makes the 53-man roster, it's just the beginning of the next chapter in the life of a kid from Howell, N.J.

"I'm not much of a crier, but I think I'll probably drop in utter happiness and shed a few tears," Spadola said of potentially making the roster. "Looking back when I started playing football with all of the obstacles I've had to overcome, not just on the football field, but off it as well, it would really, really mean a lot. Hard work, dedication and sacrifice really pays off in the end. Never let anyone tell you nothing is impossible.

"Early in my football career people didn't think I would make it in college or they thought I'd be a nobody in college. No one thought I would make it to the next level, let alone make some noise and make a football team. Overall I think it would be great, not just for myself, but for other people aspiring to do the same thing. Hopefully this train keeps rolling and I continue to be part of the Jets organization."